The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations confirms First Nation communities and Tribal Councils are taking control and authority of First Nations child welfare.
In an announcement in the House of Common today, Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott pledged to develop legislation which will uphold the Inherent Right to self-government, including legislative authority over child and family services.
Philpott says Canada has taken Indigenous kids from their families for more than a century through residential schools and child-welfare agencies.
She was joined by the Assembly of First Nationals National Chief Perry Bellegarde, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed, and Metis National Council President Clement Chartier in Ottawa this morning.
“We applaud the hard work of our Chiefs, leadership and child welfare advocates, as they begin moving forward with the Federal Government to ensure these children are brought home,” says FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron in a media release.
“The time is now to secure jurisdiction over our children and to bring them back to where they rightfully belong and will be treated with love, respect and respected,” Cameron adds.